This is strange because Microsoft normally releases sneak peeks of its upcoming software. It wants to get its users psyched, and to give enterprises a chance to offer technical feedback.

Keizer notes that the last sneak peek of IE 10 for Windows 7 was June 29, 2011. Meanwhile, Redmond has released a half dozen previews of IE10 for Windows 8 including one on May 31 with the latest version of Windows 8.

It's true that much of IE's makeover will be to integrate it into Windows 8's brand new Metro interface. But IE 10 will represent Microsoft's most cutting edge work and enterprises will want that stuff, particularly those that have standardized on IE as a browser used to access corporate Web apps.